Vinyl pressings
by Jerry Jeff Walker · 1969
Driftin' Way Of Life was first pressed on vinyl in 1969. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
3 pressings came out in 1969, the album's first year, in 3 countries. Compare the label and catalog number on your copy, then the codes etched or stamped in the runout groove (the dead wax around the label): they are the surest sign of an early pressing.
VSD-6521A XSV144702-2ASide A runout stamped, variant 1
VSD-6521B XSV144703-2ASide B runout stamped, variant 1
V SD 6521 A XSV144702-2BSide A runout stamped, variant 2
V SD 6521 B XSV144703-2BSide B runout stamped, variant 2
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | Australia | Vanguard VSD-6521First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | UK | Vanguard SVRL19049First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | US | Vanguard VSD-6521First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Canada | Vanguard VSD-6521LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1977 | US | Vanguard VSD-6521LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1977 | US | Vanguard VSD-6521LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Japan | Vanguard GXF-41LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | US | Vanguard VMS 73124LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Vanguard VSD-6521LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Canada | Vanguard VSD-6521LP, Album | LP, Album |
10 vinyl pressings of Driftin' Way Of Life are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1969 and 1985.
The earliest pressings are from 1969, in US, UK, Australia. One of them is Vanguard VSD-6521.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use VSD-6521, SVRL19049) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, VSD-6521A XSV144702-2A and VSD-6521B XSV144703-2A. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
It depends on which pressing you have and on the condition of the record and its sleeve. Early pressings from the album's home country in near mint condition are usually worth the most; common later reissues are worth far less. Scan your copy with VinylLens to see its value for every grade.
